New here: 325 WSM-180 grain

[onlybrowning]

Hello to all! I am looking for any data or experience with 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets using H-4350 for .325 wsm. I am experiencing slightly erradic results. I have tested powder charges in 1 grain increments from 62.0-65.5 grains, seated at 2.843" OAL I am using Winchester brass and Fed 215M primers. Oh, and the gun is a Browning Stainless Stalker with a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8X36mm. The rifle is glass bedded and has had trigger work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Note: I have tested each four shot group by thouroughly cleaning the barrel between four shot groups.

 

[JD338]

onlybrowning

Welcome to the forum.
We will try to help figure thing out.
Can you give more detain to your comment, "slightly erradic results".
What size are your groups? Vertical or horizontal?
Are you shooting of a sturdy bench with a solid rest?

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

Hi buddy and welcome!

Never played around with a 325 based on your request this is what quickload says.

Cartridge : .325 WSM
Bullet : .323, 180, NOS BalTip 32180
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch or 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch or 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4350

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 83 54.40 2299 2112 30323 8218 82.3 1.434
-18.0 85 55.76 2358 2222 32389 8520 83.8 1.396
-16.0 88 57.12 2418 2337 34600 8820 85.2 1.360
-14.0 90 58.48 2478 2455 36971 9114 86.6 1.324
-12.0 92 59.84 2539 2577 39513 9403 88.0 1.281
-10.0 94 61.20 2601 2704 42241 9685 89.2 1.242
-08.0 96 62.56 2663 2834 45172 9958 90.5 1.203
-06.0 98 63.92 2725 2967 48326 10223 91.6 1.166
-04.0 100 65.28 2787 3105 51723 10477 92.7 1.130
-02.0 102 66.64 2850 3247 55385 10719 93.7 1.095 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 104 68.00 2913 3392 59340 10949 94.7 1.062 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 106 69.36 2977 3542 63619 11165 95.6 1.029 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 108 70.72 3041 3695 68255 11366 96.4 0.997 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 110 72.08 3105 3852 73289 11550 97.2 0.967 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 113 73.44 3169 4014 78767 11716 97.8 0.937 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 115 74.80 3233 4179 84738 11863 98.4 0.908 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 104 68.00 3068 3761 70839 11109 99.0 0.984 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 104 68.00 2719 2955 48955 10290 86.9 1.159




http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=15&b=8mm&s=60

http://longrangehunting.com/ubbthreads/ ... w=1#UNREAD

http://www.imrpowder.com/data/rifle/325wsm.php

 

[onlybrowning]

Most of my groups have been around 1.5" off a solid bench rest and rear bag setup. I do not claim to be an expert shooter, but I frequently shoot well under 1 " with other rifles I own.


Also, I have 65.5 grains listed as max charge from Hodgdon's website. Your quickloads data shows significantly higher as near maximum. I have not experienced any signs of high presssure at the listed max of 65.5, but have yet to test higher with that powder.


I have tried two groups with H-4831sc with about the same result. One was with the listed max of 65.8gr and one with 65gr. I have Varget, H-4350, and H-4831sc on hand, but assumed H-4350 to be the most logical since it yields the highest velocities. :?:

 

[FOTIS]

Browning,
The program is just a prediction plus if you noticed it does have the obligatory safety warning listed at the end. I had a 270 WSM Browning. With RL22 61-63 was listed with one particular bullet but I actually worked up to 66 gr to get the velocity listed and with no visual excess pressures.

 

[onlybrowning]

I allowed my barrel to cool completely between shots this time, and resisted cleaning between groups. I shot four different powder charges, and all four shot less than one inch. I had one group that was a measured 3/8"! The powder charge was 63.0 grains of H 4350, a Nosler Ballistic Tip 180gr, Winchester brass, and Federal 215M primer. I am a very happy camper. Thaks a bundle for the help!

 

[FOTIS]

That dog will hunt. :lol: